PREPARATION OF HOSPITAL BAG FOR DELIVERY - PART THREE

 

We have come to the last and final part of the series- Preparing Hospital Bag for Delivery. In spite of my tight schedule, I wanted to finish the series before my friend AV actually needed to start packing (I will follow up on that a little later). So here we go!

 

THE POST DELIVERY KIT

The good news always comes suddenly, especially when it is a normal delivery. Along with breaking the good news, the nurses in the labor ward will ask the bystanders to bring a set of things – and most of the time,the bystanders will not be prepared for it. I have seen fathers and grandparents run hither and thither to buy things at the last minute- most of it fueled by the belief that being well prepared will bring bad news. 

The lady who was on the bed adjacent to mine in the post-delivery ward, had to wait hours before she could have something to eat and change her clothes, because her helpless old mother had no idea where to run or how to buy!!  Be smart and be ready. It relieves a lot of last-minute tension.

The idea of preparing such a kit is to be ready with whatever is expected, once the delivery has happened. Here is a list that I put together.

1.                          1.      Change of clothes for the mother

A feeding type maternity dress and undergarments including a feeding bra.

2.      Clothes for the baby

A swaddle blanket, A top-cap-mitten-socks set (may not be asked) and two disposable diapers.

3.      Sanitary napkins

Two or three large ones with good flow absorbency (if not already provided by the hospital).

4.      A pack of buns

The typical post-delivery food asked for the mother, in most parts of South India, is “Coffee + Bun” (I don’t know about other parts of the country, maybe someone can enlighten me.). Having a pack of buns ready helps. 

5.      A cup

Disposable or other unbreakable material, for coffee &/or water.

6.      A thermos flask

To buy and bring the coffee of course! 

Everything should be packed in a small hand-bag and kept ready with the caretaker who sits outside the labor ward/suite. Labelling the bag may be necessary in a busy centre.

 

 

GENERAL ESSENTIALS

These are the articles that should be prepared as in any hospital admission. Given below is a general list, which can be altered according to your needs or comforts.

 

1.      Basic utensils for hospital stay

The usual stuff – plates, cups, flasks, small kitchen knife, spoons, a scrub and dish washing liquid etc.

2.      Toiletries

Soap/Body wash, Shampoo, Toothpaste and brush, Comb etc.

3.      Old newspapers

This has a myriad of uses!

4.      Cash in hand

In this COVID season, avoid frequent trips to the ATM as well as to the hospital pharmacy. If your hospital has a system of payment-in-advance, pay a bulk amount initially and then round up in the end.

5.      Towels

Keep a few extra.

6.      Water bottles

Always have water ready.

7.      Food

Have some easy to keep food stuffs in the hospital – biscuits, bread/buns, fruits, tea/coffee/milk powder etc. 

8.      Bed sheets + Blankets

Taking these depends on the hospital and the type of room you choose. Some hospitals provide everything, at least in private rooms. Have one or two as stand-by.

9.      The Holy Bible

This is a must have for me in any bag I pack; you may or may not take anything similar which helps you.

 

COVID-19 PROTECTION

Since I am penning this blog in the COVID-19 season, the post will not be complete without this subheading.

 

1.      Masks

Have an effective mask, a three layered surgical disposable mask if possible, since you are going to be in a room full of screaming women(you being one of them), and you may contract or spread the illness. There are strict protocols and pre-delivery testing in almost every hospital now, but still, your personal protection is your responsibility.  Personally, I feel that an N-95 mask will be uncomfortable during labor, although it may provide better protection.

Have extra masks for the hospital stay, since you may need to change them.

2.      Hand sanitizer

I don’t think I need to explain this. Most hospitals are keeping sanitizers in multiple places for safety, but keep one with yourself for an unexpected or sudden use.

 

PRACTICAL POINTS

 

1.      Whatever I have mentioned in these three posts, is just a general outline, and is more apt for an uncomplicated normal delivery or LSCS. You may be admitted early or discharged late or both for a high-risk pregnancy, or you may have to stay longer in the hospital if your baby is preterm or needs NICU care. With a basic idea, you can adapt according to your needs.

 

2.      If you have a low risk pregnancy without any complications, packing your bag around 34-36 weeks of pregnancy maybe enough. If you are at high risk, pack at least the most basic things by 32-34 weeks. You can keep adding as you go along.

 

3.      Packing and preparing early requires planning and buying/making/ordering things early. Make a list of things required and find out what you have as hand-downs, what can be made at home using available stuff, and what needs to be bought.

 

4.      Decide which bags you are taking to the hospital. Clean them, and sun-dry if possible.

 

5.      The most important thing to pack is confidence, mental preparedness and eagerness to hold your bundle of joy!

 

 

I think I have covered the entire hospital bag(s) packing for delivery in these series of posts.

 If you have not read Part One, which is about packing the baby’s bag, click here.

 If you have not read Part Two, which is about packing the mother’s bag, click here.

 Do feel free to comment, and let me know if I should add anything to these posts. Thank you for                         reading!

Happy Motherhood!!!